latelenovela Chapter 212: Watching the Show
Chapter 212: Watching the Show
Chapter 212: Watching the Show
Everything was almost arranged, so I followed her out of the room.
The Prince's mansion was exceptionally large; besides her small courtyard, there was another large courtyard.
First to arrive was the Prime Minister's wife, who had a good relationship with the Prince's household. She was also quite gentle and got along well with these noble ladies.
"This is Ji Meiqing, a newcomer to our lives this year."
Completely different from her previous lazy demeanor, Xun Hua seemed like a different person, happily introducing Ji Meiqing to them.
"Greetings, Lady Prime Minister." She curtsied and gave a perfectly timed smile.
"Okay, get up." She was quite gentle, but she didn't pay much attention to her. After saying a few words, she continued talking to Xunhua. Ji Meiqing obediently followed behind.
"The Empress Dowager will definitely put a lot of thought into your birthday celebration this year. It seems that your good fortune will come true this year." The Prime Minister's wife smiled gently, speaking to her as if they were sisters.
Ji Meiqing glanced at it, then immediately lowered her head.
"That's true. I've been waiting for quite some time now. I wonder which family's young master he is."
Do you have someone you like?
"So what if I have one, so what if I don't? In the end, I'll definitely marry a stranger. These days, all the noble ladies in the capital are under close surveillance. Neither you nor I understand much about the politics of the court. But in order to consolidate his position, the Emperor will surely have to assign and manage us, so that we can check and balance each other. That's... the best way."
"You..." The Prime Minister's wife said helplessly, sitting down with them. A maidservant came over to pour them tea.
After he finished speaking, some more people arrived. This time it was the family of the Prime Minister and the Minister, who came together.
Xunhua's attitude was a bit colder than when she was with the Prime Minister's wife, but she was still quite polite. After inviting them to sit down, she had tea served.
Ji Meiqing sat quietly in the corner like a transparent person, without making a sound.
Once most of the people had arrived, Xunhua had the prepared fine wine brought over. One for each person, and the cups were all filled.
"A thousand cups of wine are not enough when drinking with a bosom friend. Wine is similar to tea; it needs to be savored carefully. I've specially invited you all here today to share this with you..."
Before he could finish speaking, the maids were summoned. Each of them carried a tray with a wine cup on it.
They looked at each other, wondering what all that wine was for. The glasses were also strange; they were decorated with patterns painted on them.
There are red maple leaves, pink lotus flowers, some carp, and other scenic features.
"Try them and see which one you like?"
Different glasses held different flavored wines, including fruit wines, flower wines, and some more traditional wines, just different colors.
"This wine is quite good. I wonder who brewed it," the Prime Minister's wife said first, holding a small porcelain cup with a maple leaf in her hand. Ji Meiqing only went over after being signaled.
"This... is wine. Because it has a slightly astringent taste when it is freshly made, it was poured out an hour in advance to let it breathe."
"Oh, it's not bad." She said gently, and then took another bite.
"This is a Hundred Flowers Fragrance, made from common flowers. After it was finished, it was placed in a bag filled with petals and then buried underground. It was only taken out a few days ago. The scent may be a little off."
She described each wine in detail, and some people listened attentively while others paid no attention. Finally, Ji Meiqing had the prepared wines brought up.
She made a gift box, sealing the outside with brocade. She then decorated it with a blue ribbon sewn into a bow.
They had never seen a box like this before.
The signature at the bottom of the box was elegant yet simple. The Prime Minister's wife was somewhat surprised, but mostly delighted.
"This box is truly beautiful," she exclaimed, touching the satin surface.
Ji Meiqing smiled and said, "There are a few bottles of my husband's homemade 'Beauty Wine' in this box. If you don't mind, you can take it back and enjoy it at your leisure."
"Of course. Thank you very much."
Ji Meiqing smiled and clapped her hands. All the prepared items were brought up and distributed to the ladies. The boxes were all different shapes, but the wine inside was the same.
The drinks and other refreshments had been served, the meaning of which was self-evident, and everyone understood. But if the drinks brought a few words of advice from the pillow, it wasn't a bad deal.
After finishing her business here, Ji Meiqing packed up and prepared to leave. It was dinnertime, and Xunhua didn't ask her to stay for dinner, but simply saw her to the back door and went home.
"I've already taken care of it for you. I hope I won't regret it later." She reverted to her usual self, no longer as approachable as she had been during the day. Ji Meiqing smiled but didn't reply.
After walking through the back street of the Prince's Mansion, I returned to the main road. After walking a couple of steps forward, I saw the fork in the red-light district, and the most eye-catching thing was the brothel at that fork.
As the red light came on, people came and went inside. The scent of cosmetics reached her. Ji Meiqing looked up and, for some reason, heard arguing coming from inside the building.
A greasy plate exploded right at her feet, startling those around her, but they quickly got used to it.
Looking at the people upstairs, a woman with delicate features walked to the railing. One foot was already out, her body facing inward, as if she were saying something.
Ji Meiqing was a little curious, so she stood and watched for a while.
They couldn't hear what they were saying, but it seemed they were there to catch someone cheating.
This is quite frustrating.
Before long, the woman's entire body was outside. The person inside finally came out, his clothes disheveled, his hands still fiddling with his belt.
Coming to a brothel to catch adulterers in the act, and causing such a stir throughout the city, this woman certainly has a lot of nerve.
After all this commotion, things are finally showing signs of coming to an end.
The woman climbed over the railing, and the people inside returned to normal. She paused, looked up at the floor above, gave it a meaningful glance, and then turned and left.
Back home, she asked for a basin of bathwater to soak in. Her clothes were changed, and she was put back into her usual attire. That long white dress really didn't suit her.
Ji Meiqing took the clothes and delivered them to the backyard.
When dinner was ready in the evening, they returned. Ji Meiqing was setting out the food at three large tables in the courtyard.
Seeing them return, Ji Meiqing quickly wiped her hands and invited them to eat.